Cameron University invites southwest Oklahoma to “Make Memories at the MCC”

Cameron University students, faculty and staff, joined by community members from throughout southwest Oklahoma, began "Making Memories at the MCC" earlier today when CU President Cindy Ross hosted the dedication of the McMahon Centennial Complex (MCC). Ross welcomed Larry Wade, Chairman of the University of Oklahoma, Cameron University and Rogers State University Board of Regents, and CU senior Amanda Finch, who assisted with the dedication. They were joined by State Regent Bill Burgess; Dr. Charles S. Graybill,Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the McMahon Foundation; Barbara Braught, Executive Director of The McCasland Foundation, and other dignitaries to celebrate the state-of-the-art facility's grand opening.

"Two years ago we dreamed of this building and what it would mean to our students and community," President Ross said. "Today we start making memories in this building. The MCC is not just brick and mortar. Starting today, this building - the MCC - comes alive. In this building people will meet and become friends. In this building people will celebrate life's momentous events. In this building students will grow, and the future will be molded. And, in this building, life-long memories will be made."

The MCC is a multi-use, multi-purpose facility located at the heart of the Cameron University campus. It incorporates a variety of student activity, food service and community spaces, including a student dining area, student activity areas, game room, meeting rooms, bookstore and The McCasland Foundation Ballroom, which accommodates 400 people.

During the ceremony, CU students and community members who have planned events in the MCC spoke of the benefits the facility brings to southwest Oklahoma. In addition to hosting a multitude of campus events for Cameron students, faculty and staff, the MCC is available for weddings, banquets, proms, conferences and other gatherings. The facility will be the site for five area high school proms this spring. In addition, nine wedding receptions will take place in the MCC in the coming months. To schedule an event at the MCC, go to www.cameron.edu/facility_reservations. For information about reserving the facility, call 581-2291.

Following the dedication, guests toured the MCC, where they enjoyed the artwork on display in the Inasmuch Foundation Gallery and viewed the Cameron memorabilia on permanent display at the MCC. Visitors were also able to examine the contents of Cameron's Centennial Celebration 50-year time capsule, which will be encased in a sealed, bronze container and enshrined in a wall niche at the MCC until the year 2058. The time capsule container was donated by Lawton Ritter Gray Funeral Home. Original owners Gary and Judy Gray attended Cameron, as did their son Kris and daughter Kara, who are now co-owners of the company.

The McMahon Centennial Complex is named in recognition of a $4,000,000 gift from The McMahon Foundation. Other key donors are The McCasland Foundation, Sarkeys Foundation, CU President's Partners, Inasmuch Foundation, Cleo L. Craig Foundation, and The Priddy Foundation. The building was funded in large part through the university's unprecedented Centennial Changing Lives Campaign. Donations surpassed the $6,500,000 goal, as more than 250 corporations and individuals contributed to the project. CU has received a total of $6,853,545 to date.

"Without the extraordinary generosity of our donors, we would not be here today to celebrate the opening of this magnificent building," Ross said. "We are truly appreciative of all of the donors who made the dream of a student activities complex come true."